Thermally stable diamond abrasive compact body

A method of producing a thermally stable diamond compact having a metallic layer bonded to a surface thereof, the thermally stable diamond compact comprising a mass of diamond particles containing diamond-to-diamond bonding and a second phase uniformly distributed through the diamond mass, and the metal of the metallic layer being selected from the group of molybdenum, tantalum, titanium and like high melting refractory metal, nickel and an alloy containing a dominant amount of any one of these metals, includes the steps of:

• (i) preparing an assembly of a metallic layer, a mass of diamond particles on the metallic layer and a layer of the component or components necessary to form the second phase on the diamond particles, this component or these components having a melting point lower than that of the metallic layer;
• and
• (ii) subjecting the assembly to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure for a period sufficient to produce the diamond abrasive compact, the temperature being first raised to a level in the range 1100.degree. to 1350.degree. C. where the component or components for the second phase are molten allowing their infiltration into the diamond mass and the compact to be produced, but the metallic layer is not molten, and the temperature is thereafter raised to a level higher than that of the first stage and in the range 1300.degree. C. to 1900.degree. C. at which the metallic layer bonds to the thus formed compact.